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Calcium (Ca2+) ions are ubiquitous and indispensable signaling messengers that regulate virtually every cell function. The unique ability of Ca2+ to regulate so many different processes yet cause stimulus specific changes in cell function requires sensing and decoding of Ca2+ signals. Ca2+-sensing proteins, such as calmodulin, decode Ca2+ signals by binding and modifying the function of a diverse range of effector proteins. These effectors include the Ca2+-calmodulin dependent protein kinase kinase-2 (CaMKK2) enzyme, which is the core component of a signaling cascade that plays a key role in important physiological and pathophysiological processes, including brain function and cancer. In addition to its role as a Ca2+ signal decoder, CaMKK2 also serves as an important junction point that connects Ca2+ signaling with energy metabolism. By activating the metabolic regulator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), CaMKK2 integrates Ca2+ signals with cellular energy status, enabling the synchronization of cellular activities regulated by Ca2+ with energy availability. Here, we review the structure, regulation, and function of CaMKK2 and discuss its potential as a treatment target for neurological disorders, metabolic disease, and cancer., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Although the precise underlying cause(s) of autism spectrum disorder remain unclear, more than 1000 rare genetic variations are associated with the condition. For a large number of people living with profound autism, this genetic heterogeneity has impeded the identification of common biological targets for therapy development for core and comorbid traits that include significant impairments in social communication, and repetitive and restricted behaviors. A substantial number of genes associated with autism encode proteins involved in signal transduction and synaptic transmission that are critical for brain development and function. CAMK4 is an emerging risk gene for autism spectrum disorder that encodes the Ca 2+ -calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-4 (CaMK4) enzyme. CaMK4 is a key component of a Ca 2+ -activated signaling pathway that regulates neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity. In this review, we discuss three genetic variants of CAMK4 found in individuals with hyperkinetic movement disorder and comorbid neurological symptoms including autism spectrum disorder that are likely pathogenic with monogenic effect. We also comment on four other genetic variations in CAMK4 that display associations with autism spectrum disorder, as well as twelve examples of autism-associated variations in other genes that impact CaMK4 signaling pathways. Finally, we highlight three environmental risk factors that impact CaMK4 signaling based on studies in preclinical models of autism and/or clinical cohorts. Overall, we review molecular, genetic, physiological, and environmental evidence that suggest defects in the CaMK4 signaling pathway may play an important role in a common autism pathogenesis network across numerous patient groups, and propose CaMK4 as a potential therapeutic target., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Current pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder are inadequate and based on serendipitously discovered drugs often with limited efficacy, burdensome side-effects, and unclear mechanisms of action. Advances in drug development for the treatment of bipolar disorder remain incremental and have come largely from repurposing drugs used for other psychiatric conditions, a strategy that has failed to find truly revolutionary therapies, as it does not target the mood instability that characterises the condition. The lack of therapeutic innovation in the bipolar disorder field is largely due to a poor understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms and the consequent absence of validated drug targets. A compelling new treatment target is the Ca 2+ -calmodulin dependent protein kinase kinase-2 (CaMKK2) enzyme. CaMKK2 is highly enriched in brain neurons and regulates energy metabolism and neuronal processes that underpin higher order functions such as long-term memory, mood, and other affective functions. Loss-of-function polymorphisms and a rare missense mutation in human CAMKK2 are associated with bipolar disorder, and genetic deletion of Camkk2 in mice causes bipolar-like behaviours similar to those in patients. Furthermore, these behaviours are ameliorated by lithium, which increases CaMKK2 activity. In this review, we discuss multiple convergent lines of evidence that support targeting of CaMKK2 as a new treatment strategy for bipolar disorder., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The serine/threonine protein kinase calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CAMKK2) plays critical roles in a range of biological processes. Despite its importance, only a handful of inhibitors of CAMKK2 have been disclosed. Having a selective small molecule tool to interrogate this kinase will help demonstrate that CAMKK2 inhibition can be therapeutically beneficial. Herein, we disclose SGC-CAMKK2-1, a selective chemical probe that targets CAMKK2.

Background: Iron excess has been proposed as an essential factor in skeletal muscle wasting. Studies have reported correlations between muscle iron accumulation and atrophy, either through ageing or by using experimental models of secondary iron overload. However, iron treatments performed in most of these studies induced an extra-pathophysiological iron overload, more representative of intoxication or poisoning. The main objective of this study was to determine the impact of iron excess closer to pathophysiological conditions on structural and metabolic adaptations (i) in differentiated myotubes and (ii) in skeletal muscle exhibiting oxidative (i.e. the soleus) or glycolytic (i.e. the gastrocnemius) metabolic phenotypes., Methods: The impact of iron excess was assessed in both in vitro and in vivo models. Murine differentiated myotubes were exposed to ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) (i.e. 10 and 50 μM) for the in vitro component. The in vivo model was achieved by a single iron dextran subcutaneous injection (1 g/kg) in mice. Four months after the injection, soleus and gastrocnemius muscles were harvested for analysis., Results: In vitro, iron exposure caused dose-dependent increases of iron storage protein ferritin (P < 0.01) and dose-dependent decreases of mRNA TfR1 levels (P < 0.001), which support cellular adaptations to iron excess. Extra-physiological iron treatment (50 μM FAC) promoted myotube atrophy (P = 0.018), whereas myotube size remained unchanged under pathophysiological treatment (10 μM FAC). FAC treatments, whatever the doses tested, did not affect the expression of proteolytic markers (i.e. NF-κB, MurF1, and ubiquitinated proteins). In vivo, basal iron content and mRNA TfR1 levels were significantly higher in the soleus compared with the gastrocnemius (+130% and +127%; P < 0.001, respectively), supporting higher iron needs in oxidative skeletal muscle. Iron supplementation induced muscle iron accumulation in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles (+79%, P < 0.001 and +34%, P = 0.002, respectively), but ferritin protein expression only increased in the gastrocnemius (+36%, P = 0.06). Despite iron accumulation, muscle weight, fibre diameter, and myosin heavy chain distribution remained unchanged in either skeletal muscle., Conclusions: Together, these data support that under pathophysiological conditions, skeletal muscle can protect itself from the related deleterious effects of excess iron., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders.)

Gut microbiota, a major contributor to human health, is influenced by physical activity and diet, and displays a functional cross-talk with skeletal muscle. Conversely, few data are available on the impact of hypoactivity, although sedentary lifestyles are widespread and associated with negative health and socio-economic impacts. The study aim was to determine the effect of Dry Immersion (DI), a severe hypoactivity model, on the human gut microbiota composition. Stool samples were collected from 14 healthy men before and after 5 days of DI to determine the gut microbiota taxonomic profiles by 16S metagenomic sequencing in strictly controlled dietary conditions. The α and β diversities indices were unchanged. However, the operational taxonomic units associated with the Clostridiales order and the Lachnospiraceae family, belonging to the Firmicutes phylum, were significantly increased after DI. Propionate, a short-chain fatty acid metabolized by skeletal muscle, was significantly reduced in post-DI stool samples. The finding that intestine bacteria are sensitive to hypoactivity raises questions about their impact and role in chronic sedentary lifestyles.

CAMKK2 is a serine/threonine kinase and an activator of AMPK whose dysregulation is linked with multiple diseases. Unfortunately, STO-609, the tool inhibitor commonly used to probe CAMKK2 signaling, has limitations. To identify promising scaffolds as starting points for the development of high-quality CAMKK2 chemical probes, we utilized a hinge-binding scaffold hopping strategy to design new CAMKK2 inhibitors. Starting from the potent but promiscuous disubstituted 7-azaindole GSK650934, a total of 32 compounds, composed of single-ring, 5,6-, and 6,6-fused heteroaromatic cores, were synthesized. The compound set was specifically designed to probe interactions with the kinase hinge-binding residues. Compared to GSK650394 and STO-609, 13 compounds displayed similar or better CAMKK2 inhibitory potency in vitro , while compounds 13g and 45 had improved selectivity for CAMKK2 across the kinome. Our systematic survey of hinge-binding chemotypes identified several potent and selective inhibitors of CAMKK2 to serve as starting points for medicinal chemistry programs.

As life expectancy has increased, particularly in developed countries, due to medical advances and increased prosperity, age-related neurological diseases and mental health disorders have become more prevalent health issues, reducing the well-being and quality of life of sufferers and their families. In recent decades, due to reduced work-related levels of physical activity, and key research insights, prescribing adequate exercise has become an innovative strategy to prevent or delay the onset of these pathologies and has been demonstrated to have therapeutic benefits when used as a sole or combination treatment. Recent evidence suggests that the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain are related to several underlying mechanisms related to muscle-brain, liver-brain and gut-brain crosstalk. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the most relevant current knowledge of the impact of exercise on mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, and to highlight the established and potential underlying mechanisms involved in exercise-brain communication and their benefits for physiology and brain function.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Could skeletal muscle be involved in microgravity-induced iron misdistribution by modulating expression of hepcidin, the master regulator of iron metabolism? What is the main finding and its importance? We demonstrate, in rats, that hepcidin upregulation is not a transient adaptation associated with early exposure to microgravity and that intermittent reloading does not limit microgravity-induced iron misdistribution despite having a beneficial effect on soleus muscle wasting., Abstract: In humans, exposure to microgravity during spaceflight causes muscle atrophy, changes in iron storage and a reduction in iron availability. We previously observed that during 7 days of simulated microgravity in rats, hepcidin plays a key role in iron misdistribution, and we suggested that a crosstalk between skeletal muscle and liver could regulate hepcidin synthesis in this context. In the present study in rats, we investigated the medium-term effects of simulated microgravity on iron metabolism. We also tested whether intermittent reloading (IR) to target skeletal muscle atrophy limits iron misdistribution efficiently. For this purpose, Wistar rats underwent 14 days of hindlimb unloading (HU) combined or not combined with daily IR. At the end of this period, the serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation were significantly reduced, whereas hepatic hepcidin mRNA was upregulated. However, the main signalling pathways involved in hepcidin synthesis in the liver (BMP-small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD), interleukin-6-STAT3 and ERK1/2) were unaffected. Unlike what was observed after 7 days of HU, the iron concentration in the spleen, liver and skeletal muscle was comparable between control animals and those that underwent HU or HU plus IR for 14 days. Despite its beneficial effect on soleus muscle atrophy and slow-to-fast myosin heavy chain distribution, IR did not significantly prevent a reduction in iron availability and hepcidin upregulation. Altogether, these results highlight that iron availability is durably reduced during longer exposure to simulated microgravity and that the related hepcidin upregulation is not a transient adaptation to these conditions. The results also suggest that skeletal muscle does not necessarily play a key role in the iron misdistribution that occurs during simulated microgravity., (© 2020 The Authors. Experimental Physiology © 2020 The Physiological Society.)

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of dry immersion, an innovative ground-based human model of simulated microgravity and extreme physical inactivity, on iron homeostasis and distribution. Twenty young healthy men were recruited and submitted to 5 days of dry immersion (DI). Fasting blood samples and MRI were performed before and after DI exposure to assess iron status, as well as hematological responses. DI increased spleen iron concentrations (SIC), whereas hepatic iron store (HIC) was not affected. Spleen iron sequestration could be due to the concomitant increase in serum hepcidin levels (P < .001). Increased serum unconjugated bilirubin, as well as the rise of serum myoglobin levels support that DI may promote hemolysis and myolysis. These phenomena could contribute to the concomitant increase of serum iron and transferrin saturation levels (P < .001). As HIC remained unchanged, increased serum hepcidin levels could be due both to higher transferrin saturation level, and to low-grade pro-inflammatory as suggested by the significant rise of serum ferritin and haptoglobin levels after DI (P = .003 and P = .003, respectively). These observations highlight the need for better assessment of iron metabolism in bedridden patients, and an optimization of the diet currently proposed to astronauts., (© 2020 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)

Hereditary aceruloplasminemia (HA), related to mutations in the ceruloplasmin ( Cp ) gene, leads to iron accumulation. Ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity being considered essential for macrophage iron release, macrophage iron overload is expected, but it is not found in hepatic and splenic macrophages in humans. Our objective was to get a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to iron excess in HA. A clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/ CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) knockout of the Cp gene was performed on Sprague-Dawley rats. We evaluated the iron status in plasma, the expression of iron metabolism genes, and the status of other metals whose interactions with iron are increasingly recognized. In Cp -/- rats, plasma ceruloplasmin and ferroxidase activity were absent, together with decreased iron concentration and transferrin saturation. Similarly as in humans, the hepatocytes were iron overloaded conversely to hepatic and splenic macrophages. Despite a relative hepcidin deficiency in Cp -/- rats and the loss of ferroxidase activity, potentially expected to limit the interaction of iron with transferrin, no increase of plasma non-transferrin-bound iron level was found. Copper was decreased in the spleen, whereas manganese was increased in the plasma. These data suggest that the reported role of ceruloplasmin cannot fully explain the iron hepatosplenic phenotype in HA, encouraging the search for additional mechanisms.-Kenawi, M., Rouger, E., Island, M.-L., Leroyer, P., Robin, F., Remy, S., Tesson, L., Anegon, I., Nay, K., Derbré, F., Brissot, P., Ropert, M., Cavey, T., Loréal, O. Ceruloplasmin deficiency does not induce macrophagic iron overload: lessons from a new rat model of hereditary aceruloplasminemia.

Virtual reality using head-mounted displays (HMD) could provide enhanced physical load during active gaming (AG) compared to traditional displays. We aimed to compare the physical load elicited by conventional exercise and AG with an HMD. We measured energy expenditure (EE) and heart rate (HR) in nine healthy men (age: 27 ± 5 years) performing three testing components in a randomised order: walking at 6 km/h (W6), AG, and AG with an additional constraint (AG W ; wrist-worn weights). Although we found that HR was not significantly different between W6 and the two modes of AG, actual energy expenditure was consistently lower in AG and AG W compared to W6. We observed that playing AG with wrist-worn weights could be used as a means of increasing energy expenditure only at maximum game level, but ineffective otherwise. Our findings indicate that AG in an HMD may not provide a sufficient stimulus to meet recommended physical activity levels despite increased psychophysiological load. The differential outcomes of measures of HR and EE indicates that HR should not be used as an indicator of EE in AG. Yet, adding a simple constraint (wrist-worn weights) proved to be a simple and effective measure to increase EE during AG.

Physical inactivity increases the risk to develop type 2 diabetes, a disease characterized by a state of insulin resistance. By promoting inflammatory state, ceramides are especially recognized to alter insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. The present study was designed to analyze, in mice, whether muscle ceramides contribute to physical-inactivity-induced insulin resistance. For this purpose, we used the wheel lock model to induce a sudden reduction of physical activity, in combination with myriocin treatment, an inhibitor of de novo ceramide synthesis. Mice were assigned to 3 experimental groups: voluntary wheel access group (Active), a wheel lock group (Inactive), and wheel lock group treated with myriocin (Inactive-Myr). We observed that 10 days of physical inactivity induces hyperinsulinemia and increases basal insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The muscle ceramide content was not modified by physical inactivity and myriocin. Thus, muscle ceramides do not play a role in physical-inactivity-induced insulin resistance. In skeletal muscle, insulin-stimulated protein kinase B phosphorylation and inflammatory pathway were not affected by physical inactivity, whereas a reduction of glucose transporter type 4 content was observed. Based on these results, physical-inactivity-induced insulin resistance seems related to a reduction in glucose transporter type 4 content rather than defects in insulin signaling. We observed in inactive mice that myriocin treatment improves glucose tolerance, insulin-stimulated protein kinase B, adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation, and glucose transporter type 4 content in skeletal muscle. Such effects occur regardless of changes in muscle ceramide content. These findings open promising research perspectives to identify new mechanisms of action for myriocin on insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

Gut microbiota is involved in the development of several chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and cancer, through its interactions with the host organs. It has been suggested that the cross talk between gut microbiota and skeletal muscle plays a role in different pathological conditions, such as intestinal chronic inflammation and cachexia. However, it remains unclear whether gut microbiota directly influences skeletal muscle function. In this work, we studied the impact of gut microbiota modulation on mice skeletal muscle function and investigated the underlying mechanisms. We determined the consequences of gut microbiota depletion after treatment with a mixture of a broad spectrum of antibiotics for 21 days and after 10 days of natural reseeding. We found that, in gut microbiota-depleted mice, running endurance was decreased, as well as the extensor digitorum longus muscle fatigue index in an ex vivo contractile test. Importantly, the muscle endurance capacity was efficiently normalized by natural reseeding. These endurance changes were not related to variation in muscle mass, fiber typology, or mitochondrial function. However, several pertinent glucose metabolism markers, such as ileum gene expression of short fatty acid chain and glucose transporters G protein-coupled receptor 41 and sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 and muscle glycogen level, paralleled the muscle endurance changes observed after treatment with antibiotics for 21 days and reseeding. Because glycogen is a key energetic substrate for prolonged exercise, modulating its muscle availability via gut microbiota represents one potent mechanism that can contribute to the gut microbiota-skeletal muscle axis. Taken together, our results strongly support the hypothesis that gut bacteria are required for host optimal skeletal muscle function.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the MDM2 oncoprotein promotes tumorigenesis beyond its canonical negative effects on the p53 tumor suppressor, but these p53-independent functions remain poorly understood. Here, we show that a fraction of endogenous MDM2 is actively imported in mitochondria to control respiration and mitochondrial dynamics independently of p53. Mitochondrial MDM2 represses the transcription of NADH-dehydrogenase 6 (MT-ND6) in vitro and in vivo, impinging on respiratory complex I activity and enhancing mitochondrial ROS production. Recruitment of MDM2 to mitochondria increases during oxidative stress and hypoxia. Accordingly, mice lacking MDM2 in skeletal muscles exhibit higher MT-ND6 levels, enhanced complex I activity, and increased muscular endurance in mild hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, increased mitochondrial MDM2 levels enhance the migratory and invasive properties of cancer cells. Collectively, these data uncover a previously unsuspected function of the MDM2 oncoprotein in mitochondria that play critical roles in skeletal muscle physiology and may contribute to tumor progression., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Although microgravity is well known to reduce circulating iron in astronauts, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. We investigated whether hepcidin, a key hormone regulating iron metabolism, could be involved in this deleterious effect. What is the main finding and its importance? We show that hindlimb suspension, a model of microgravity, stimulates the production of hepcidin in liver of rats. In agreement with the biological role of hepcidin, we found a decrease of circulating iron and an increase of spleen iron content in hindlimb-unloaded rats. Consequently, our study supports the idea that hepcidin could play a role in the alteration of iron metabolism parameters observed during spaceflight. During spaceflight, humans exposed to microgravity exhibit an increase of iron storage and a reduction of circulating iron. Such perturbations could promote oxidative stress and anaemia in astronauts. The mechanism by which microgravity modulates iron metabolism is still unknown. Herein, we hypothesized that microgravity upregulates hepcidin, a hormone produced by the liver that is the main controller of iron homeostasis. To test this hypothesis, rats were submitted to hindlimb unloading (HU), the reference model to mimic the effects of microgravity in rodents. After 7 days, the mRNA level of hepcidin was increased in the liver of HU rats (+74%, P = 0.001). In agreement with the biological role of hepcidin, we found an increase of spleen iron content (+78%, P = 0.030) and a decrease of serum iron concentration (-35%, P = 0.002) and transferrin saturation (-25%, P = 0.011) in HU rats. These findings support a role of hepcidin in microgravity-induced iron metabolism alteration. Furthermore, among the signalling pathways inducing hepcidin mRNA expression, we found that only the interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) axis was activated by HU, as shown by the increase of phospho-STAT3 (+193%, P < 0.001) and of the hepatic mRNA level of haptoglobin (+167%, P < 0.001), a STAT3-inducible gene, in HU rats. Taken together, these data support the idea that microgravity may alter iron metabolism through an inflammatory process upregulating hepcidin., (© 2017 The Authors. Experimental Physiology © 2017 The Physiological Society.)

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) "splints" the airway and prevents inspiratory collapse of the upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Nine nasal CPAP machines were compared for their ability to maintain airway pressure at various simulated inspiratory flows. Each machine was connected to a vacuum system at 20, 40, and 60 L/min flow after it was initially set at test pressures of 5, 10, or 15 cm H2O and the system or "mask" pressures were measured. In all machines, mask pressure fell during simulated inspiration and the declines in mask pressure were as high as 5 cm H2O. Because machines varied in their ability to maintain a test pressure, it is recommended that the nasal CPAP machine used in the home be the same as that which was tested in the sleep laboratory. If a different machine is used, it may require adjustment to assure efficacy.

To assess the effect of 3 oz of 80-proof alcohol on the frequency and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), we studied six OSA patients and six healthy subjects on 2 nights. During the 1st night, when no alcohol was given, five patients demonstrated mild and one severe OSA episodes associated with a decline in arterial oxygen saturation to at least 92% (hypoxic event). On the 2nd night after ingesting 3 oz of alcohol just prior to bedtime, all the patients demonstrated a significant increase in the number and/or severity of hypoxic events compared with the no-alcohol night. Furthermore, the most severe hypoxic events occurred within 80 to 160 min after sleep onset, a significantly shorter latency after sleep onset than on the no-alcohol night. In contrast, the healthy subjects had no incidents of hypoxic events or breathing abnormalities during sleep after ingesting 0.8 gm/kg of alcohol. Possible mechanisms for these results are discussed. An OSA provocation test using alcohol is proposed during a 2nd night of evaluation for patients with mild to moderate or intermittent OSA conditions, but not for patients demonstrating severe hypoxic events or with alcohol intolerance. The alcohol provocation test would serve to determine the influence of alcohol on the frequency and severity of hypoxic events, providing the patient with a measure of the adverse effects of social drinking on their condition.